ABSTRACT
Dural sinus thrombosis is a rare, potentially fatal complication of a radical neck dissection. The prognosis can vary from complete recovery to rapid death. Magnetic resonance venography provides an effective, noninvasive diagnosis. The goals of therapy are to decrease intracranial pressure and to lyse the thrombus. Systemic anticoagulation and systemic thrombolytics are controversial therapies. The direct intrasinus infusion of thrombolytic agents is under investigation.
Subject(s)
Brain Abscess/etiology , Otitis Media/physiopathology , Adult , Brain Abscess/therapy , Female , Humans , Meningitis/etiology , PrognosisABSTRACT
The syndromes of Pickwickian, Ondine's curse, and primary alveolar hypoventilation are respiratory disorders manifesting increased sleepiness and irregular respiratory rhythms. These disorders are currently grouped as hypersomnia with periodic breathing (HPB). Polygraphic techniques have lead to a reasonable hypothesis as to the pathophysiology of the multiple variants of HPB. Discernible causes of HPB have been attributed to both central and peripheral factors. Peripheral factors encompass those conditions relating to upper airway obstruction. An acromegalic person suffering the HPB syndrome secondary to laryngeal stenosis is described.
Subject(s)
Acromegaly , Apnea/diagnosis , Disorders of Excessive Somnolence/diagnosis , Obesity Hypoventilation Syndrome/diagnosis , Sleep Wake Disorders/diagnosis , Adult , Airway Obstruction/diagnosis , Humans , MaleABSTRACT
Middle ear effusions represent respiratory secretions which are physiologically important to functional mucocilliary transport systems. Knowledge of middle ear mucus and methods of facilitating clearance continue to be important to cleft palate patients. Middle ear mucus was collected from the ears of children with cleft palate before surgical correction. Samples were dialyzed and lyophilized to yield mucus powder. This mucus was reconstituted at various nondialyzable solids (NDS) concentrations in TRIS-CI buffer. A physiochemical study of the middle ear mucus was then undertaken, since a mucociliary transport defect leading to serous otitis media (SOM) is an etiologic possibility.